2015 Tiree Show Report
There was strong competition in the Champion of Champions line-up at Tiree Show with umpire, Colin Kennedy, from the neighbouring island of Coll brought in to select between the sheep and horse champions. His winner was the Supreme Sheep Champion, Tiree Attaboy from Alasdair MacLean, Heylipol. This March-born Beltex ram lamb is sired by Horseclose Powerhouse out of a Woodies Ringleader ewe and earlier won the Sheep Interbreed Championship and Purebred Sheep Section under judge, John McLachlan from Campbeltown. Runner-up from the horse section was the impressive Friesan mare from Jan Paterson, Balinoe, judged by John McLatchie, Campbeltown.
Regular Tiree sales buyer, Doug Davidson, Shinsharnie, Huntly, had the task of judging the cattle with Alastair and Iain MacInnes, Ruaig, lifting the Supreme in the cattle lines with a May 2014 Limousin cross bullock by Keirsbeath Gunshot out of a homebed BB cross Limousin cow. Reserve supreme was winner of the Purebred cattle, Anside Halle, a Limousin cow shown with her first calf at foot from Alasdair MacLean, Heylipol. Colin MacKinnon, Kilkenneth, had a successful show winning the breeding section, the suckled calf championship and most points for crofters shield. His champion from the calf classes was a February born AI bred Charolais cross bullock calf by Thrunton Unstoppable. Reserve went to Archie John MacLean, Heylipol, with a March born Charolais cross heifer calf by Thrunton Grandprix.
Another regular Tiree buyer, Alastair Aitken, Traprain, Haddington, judged the Crossbred Sheep, Blackfaces and Prime Lambs with his champion, a homebred Texel cross ewe from Ettie MacDonald, Roadside. Ettie also lifted the Blackface Sheep championship and cups for most points in the sheep section. Sandra Brown, Balevullin, won both champion and reserve in the Prime Lambs with a pen of Texel cross lambs and Suffolk cross lambs respectively. Reserve in the Purebred section was the female winner and Suffolk champion, a Cairness bred ewe from Gilleasbuig Campbell, Garaphail.
Once again, Mary Flora MacDonald, Roadside, won the Clydesdale Championship with her gelding Major and her grandson, Dougie MacDonald across from Benderloch, won the Young Handler’s cup while Kirsteen MacKinnon, Parkhouse, won the Young Stockperson’s cup.
Ewan and Fiona Malcolm, Gribun, won the Poultry with their Bluebell Pullet, judged by George Campbell from Taynuilt. Iain MacInnes from Ruaig won again in the Pet classes with his German Pointer, Pip, who caught the eye of judges, Douglas and Susan McRobbie from Killin, who are regular visitors to the island. Iain MacKinnon, Kilmoluaig, once again won with his MF35 tractor and led the Tractor Run on Saturday.
In the Home Industries marquee, Jo Vale won the Horticulture cup with daughter, Charlotte, winner of the Pre-Five cup. Another family winning team were Margaret McDowell in the Produce section and son, Lewis, winner of the 12 to 16 cup.
This year the Handcraft cup was jointly won by Margo Jarvis and Alison MacPhail with the Visitor’s salver going to Hannah Samwells. Fiona MacLeod received the prize for Best Knitted item. and Josie Brown won a special for her Afternoon Tea selection. Tables were full with entries in all the Children’s Sections where there was a high standard of entries put forward.